Spring is here and it is great to slowly see farmers out on their fields getting ready to plant their seeds and people getting more and more out of their homes, enjoying the fun activities that come with this season. Pretty soon, our family will be out in our back yard in our little vegetable garden tilling the ground and planting some tomato and pepper plants.
Moving here from the desert of Arizona a little over thirteen years ago, and now being able to do this, feels very special every year. The image of plants and gardening reminds me of another image and of this passage mentioned in the Word of God – that of Christ being the vine and we, his followers being the branches "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.
Here are a couple of quick lessons that we can learn from this passage:
I). Just as a branch is dependent upon the vine, so are we dependent upon Jesus. The place of a branch is the place of absolute dependence. Jesus said “without Me you can do nothing”. We learn from here that we can only bear fruit as we abide in the Vine. That means that we can’t accomplish anything worthy and valuable in God’s eyes without the help of the Holy Spirit. We need Jesus for everything. The only concern and responsibility of that branch is to stay abiding in the vine.
What is necessary for that to happen? - Complete surrender from the part of the branch. The branch does not have any side issues. It exists for the vine. This reminds me of Apostle Paul’s words: “… you are not your own, For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1Corinthians 6:19b-20
II. Fruit-bearing is a great blessing that results from remaining in Jesus. I remember when I was a kid growing up in Romania, our next-door neighbor had a vine and his grapes were some of the best grapes I’ve ever tasted. They were huge and sweet and juicy. Our neighbor took great pride in his grapes. He would at times invite us over to his house and let us pick grapes for ourselves. He talked about his grapes all the time. They made him look good as a great vine keeper. Spiritually speaking, the Fruit of the Spirit in the lives of Christians glorifies God and identifies individuals as disciples of Christ. Jesus says that God the Father is glorified when His children bear much fruit.
My friends, with Jesus and in Jesus, we have the opportunity to produce much good fruit that lasts forever. And it all starts by letting Christ take control of our lives.
Happy spring and happy abiding everyone!
